How To Resolve the Discord Update Failed Loop in 2025

So, if you’re caught in that dreaded Discord update failed loop, you’re definitely not alone. Happens a lot, especially when permission issues, cache corruption, or network hiccups get in the way of a smooth update. This isn’t exactly new for 2025 — same old story with some new wrinkles. The good news is, most of these snags can be fixed with a few tweaks. Some fixes are quick, like restarting or clearing cache, but others might need a deeper dive into permissions or network settings. The goal? Get Discord updating properly so you’re not stuck with a version that’s all broken or stuck in limbo.

Step-by-Step Fixes for the Discord Update Failed Loop

Restart Your Computer

This is kind of a no-brainer, but it still works surprisingly often. Hardware or software conflicts, mostly background updates, or locked files sometimes block new updates from installing. So, save whatever you’re working on, do a proper restart — not just sleep or shutdown — and then try launching Discord again. On some setups, this alone clears the issue temporarily, but it’s worth a shot because it’s dead simple. A reboot resets whatever is stuck in the background, or at least gives the update another shot after clearing out temporary glitches.

Run Discord as Administrator (Windows)

Permissions, of course, are often the sneaky culprit. Without admin rights, Discord’s updater might just throw a tantrum and refuse to do its thing. To get around that, right-click on your Discord shortcut, then select Run as administrator. On some PCs, this is enough to grant the update permission to modify files in the Program Files or AppData folders. You might see the update go through smoothly after this. Be aware, though, Windows sometimes remembers these permissions, but on other setups, you gotta do this every time. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.

Check Your Internet and Firewall Settings

If your net’s flaky or your firewall is blocking something, Discord’s updater can choke. Especially if you see a yellow exclamation mark or network warning. First, make sure your internet connection is steady—reset your router if needed. Then, consider disabling your antivirus or firewall temporarily — sometimes they get overprotective. The key is to ensure Discord’s update executable, usually Update.exe, isn’t blocked. On Windows, you can add it as a firewall exception:

Navigate to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature

and then locate or add Update.exe in the Discord app folder, which is typically at C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Discord. Re-enable your firewall after testing if it helped. Keep in mind that some VPNs or proxies might interfere with the update servers as well, so disabling those temporarily can be a good move. Once everything’s unblocked, try updating again.

Delete Discord’s Cache (AppData)

This was a common fix even before 2025, and it still holds up. Corrupted cache files often cause update loops because Discord can’t fetch or write files properly. To do this:

• Press Windows + R and type %appdata%, then hit Enter.
• Locally, go to delete the Discord folder.
• Now, do the same with %localappdata% — delete the Discord folder there too.
• Reboot your PC, then open Discord again. Sometimes, fresh cache means fresh updates, and things kick back into gear.

Just remember, some files might be locked or Windows might balk at deleting certain files, especially if Discord’s still running. But usually, killing Discord from Task Manager before these steps makes everything smoother. This trick has saved me more times than I can count.

Reinstall Discord Right From Scratch

If all else fails, maybe it’s time for a complete wipe and reinstall. Broken or buggy files that couldn’t be replaced with an update? Reinstalling clears those out and pulls the latest version fresh. First, uninstall Canva using the Control Panel (or by dragging the app to Trash on Mac).Then delete any lingering Discord folders:

• %appdata%\Discord
• %localappdata%\Discord

Download the latest from discord.com and run the installer. Sometimes, this is the only reliable fix — especially if the app’s got tangled files or corrupted permissions.

Use Discord in the Browser for Now

While trying these fixes, if you just need to chat or join servers, the browser version is quite capable. Head over to discord.com and log in there. It’s not a perfect substitute, but it’s a decent workaround while fixing the app itself. It also skips all those update headaches for now.

Turn Off VPN or Proxy Constraints

Sometimes, VPNs or proxies kinda mess with Discord’s servers, especially during updates. If you’re running one, try disabling it temporarily. Reboot Discord in the meantime and see if the update goes through. Not sure why, but some VPN setups seem to block or delay the update process, which can cause that loop to persist. It’s worth testing.

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